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Internship Visual Development Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Visual Development Artist

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$2.90K - $4K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by ...

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by ...

Floor Covering Weekly ( a division of Hearst, is seeking a Production & Brand Artist with a minimum ... Drive the visual development of FCW1.com maintaining the website's position at the forefront of the ...

Floor Covering Weekly ( a division of Hearst, is seeking a Production & Brand Artist with a minimum ... Drive the visual development of FCW1.com maintaining the website's position at the forefront of the ...

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual ...

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual ...

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$130.80K - $156.60K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual ...

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual ...

3D Game Artist - Platform Architecture

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$181.10K - $318.40K/yr

Description As an Artist on the Tools & Technology team, you will contribute with your strong 3D ... Perform research necessary to support visual development. Develop and concept visual styles and ...

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Internship Visual Development Artist information

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How much do internship visual development artist jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship visual development artist in the United States is $16.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Visual Development Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Visual Development Artist, you need a strong foundation in drawing, composition, color theory, and an understanding of visual storytelling, often demonstrated through a portfolio and relevant art education. Familiarity with digital painting tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Procreate is typically expected. Creativity, openness to feedback, and strong collaboration skills help you stand out in team-based creative environments. These skills are crucial for effectively contributing to the visual style of projects and adapting to the fast-paced demands of animation or game development studios.

What types of projects and collaborations can an Internship Visual Development Artist expect during their internship?

As an Internship Visual Development Artist, you will typically work on a variety of projects, ranging from concept art for characters and environments to mood boards and color scripts for upcoming productions. Interns often collaborate closely with art directors, storyboard artists, and 3D modelers, participating in team meetings and creative reviews. This collaborative environment helps interns gain insight into the full animation pipeline and develop strong communication skills. It's common to receive mentorship and constructive feedback, which supports both technical growth and creative development throughout the internship.

What is an Internship Visual Development Artist?

An Internship Visual Development Artist is a student or recent graduate who assists in creating the look and feel of animated films, games, or other visual media. They work under the guidance of senior artists to develop concept art, color scripts, environments, characters, and props that define the project's artistic direction. The internship provides hands-on experience in a professional studio setting, allowing interns to build their portfolios and learn industry-standard tools and workflows.

What is the difference between Internship Visual Development Artist vs Visual Development Artist?

AspectInternship Visual Development ArtistVisual Development Artist
CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recently graduated from relevant art or design programsProfessional degree or equivalent experience in art, illustration, or design
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, entry-level projects, supervised tasksFull-time employment, independent project work, collaborative teams
Industry UsageUsed by studios for training and talent scoutingEstablished role in animation, gaming, film industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level opportunities and training rolesSeeking professional roles and career progression

The main difference between an Internship Visual Development Artist and a Visual Development Artist is experience and responsibility. Internships are designed for students or recent graduates gaining industry exposure, often with supervised tasks. Full-time Visual Development Artists are experienced professionals responsible for creating concept art, character designs, and environment visuals independently within a collaborative team environment.

More about Internship Visual Development Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Visual Development Artist jobs? Cities with the most Internship Visual Development Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Visual Development Artist jobs? The most popular types of Visual Development Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Visual Development Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Visual Development Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Internship Visual Development Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Internship Visual Development Artist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Internship Visual Development Artist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Internship, 50% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 10% Temporary. Highlights an 70% In-person, 10% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,957 per year, or $16.3 per hour.
Visual Development Artist

Visual Development Artist

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA โ€ข On-site

$2.90K - $4K/wk

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by developing compelling, immersive environments that support narrative, mood, themes, and character.
You will generate a wide range of visual development materials, including environmental designs, drawings, models, floor plans, and set dressing elements, all while ensuring consistency with the film's established style, story themes, and overall visual quality. Working closely with Production Designer, art department, and creative leadership you will help define the look and feel of fully realized worlds that enhance storytelling and create a rich cinematic experience.
The ideal candidate has a strong sense of design, composition, and storytelling through environments, with the ability to translate narrative needs into believable, visually engaging spaces.
Previous experience on a feature animated film is required.
This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.
Responsibilities
  • Create art for project concepts, environments, set designs, and related visual development elements (textures and surface details are a plus)
  • Generate work across all stages of development, including sketches, rough explorations, refined designs, and final environment concepts
  • Develop environment designs, including turnarounds, floor plans, and layout studies to support spatial storytelling and production needs
  • Create set dressing and environmental detail callouts to help define world-building elements and visual continuity
  • Produce 2D and/or CG visual development models to explore scale, composition, and cinematic staging of environments
  • Conduct visual and narrative research to inform design decisions and ensure environments feel grounded, intentional, and story-driven
  • Develop presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent, mood, and storytelling purpose
  • Brainstorm and explore inventive environmental ideas that enhance storytelling, deepen world-building, and reinforce tone and emotion
  • Apply strong knowledge of architecture, landscape design, and spatial composition to create believable and engaging environments
  • Contribute creative solutions, respond effectively to feedback, and iterate on designs throughout production
  • Meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and consistency
  • Maintain organized files following show-specific versioning and naming conventions
  • Proactively communicate questions, issues, or production concerns to supervisors and production staff
  • Revise and resubmit work as needed based on feedback from the Production Designer or Art Department leadership
  • Collaborate closely with the Production Designer, art team, leadership, and production staff regarding status updates, progress, and any production challenges

Requirements
  • 8+ years of experience in environment design/ visual development on animated feature films
  • Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design environments that support narrative, mood, and character action
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work clearly and respond effectively to feedback
  • Strong understanding of architecture, perspective, composition, and spatial design
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team environment
  • Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs
  • Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus
  • Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839

The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate's location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.
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